SEX: When Dogs & Cats Get in the Way...

Recently I launched a survey about pets & sex - that's right, I'm studying the sex lives of women and men who live with dogs and cats. My curiosity started a few years ago when a good friend of mine talked with me about her struggles dealing with her cats during sex with her boyfriend. It was easier for them to stay over at his apartment, she said, because at hers she hated having sex in front of her cats. And if she locked them out of her bedroom during sex, then the needier cat would meow and scratch at the bedroom door. It was frustrating for everyone involved - people and pets.

Then this Fall I adopted a dog and other dog owners starting asking me whether I would let the dog sleep in bed with me. Soon, stories started pouring in from friends - tales about what they do with their dog or cat during sex (being a sex researcher, I hear tons of stories that people don't always feel as comfortable telling others). There were great stories of people distracting their pets with toys, food, television, catnip, rawhide, and other stories of people who were disturbed by their dog or cat ogling them during sex. Then there were the people who decided they didn't really care what their pets saw, heard or walked in on.

Curious as ever, I started to survey people. At this writing, more than 500 men and women have taken my survey about sex in the midst of pets. I hope you'll consider taking it too - it's short and totally anonymous and your data may end up helping other pet owners figure out how to have better sex in the midst of a curious dog or cat.